Woman sows seeds for future in Alberni

Food sustainability has been a passion for Jen Fisher-Bradley for many years, even leading her to create the Women’s Food and Water Initiative in the Alberni Valley. Fisher-Bradley will attend an Organic Seed Growers’ Alliance conference in Corvallis, Oregon Jan. 30–Feb. 1.

“Organic seed is under-supplied in North America,” says Fisher-Bradley, who with her husband Stephen operates Mirabel Urban Farm in South Port. They have been growing plants on their city lot for food and seeds for a number of years.

Fisher-Bradley will be raising money through a variety of means to help fund her trip to Oregon. She plans to share the knowledge she gains from attending the conference. She attended a similar conference in Richmond, B.C. a few years ago.

Fisher-Bradley is affiliated with Farm Folk City Folk in Vancouver and said there is talk of forming a seed co-op.

“This could be done on a large acreage or in your backyard,” she said. “Producing seed doesn’t have to take up much room.

Fisher-Bradley will be at the Farmer’s Market at First Baptist Church in Cherry Creek on Saturday, Jan. 18 from 9 a.m. to noon selling locally grown seed, Garry Oak acorns and aloe vera plants.

She will also have a booth set up at or near Centennial Pier at Harbour Quay on Sunday, Jan. 19 and again Sunday, Jan. 26 from 1–3 p.m. each day for seed sales and loonie toonie auctions.

For more info, or to make a donation, Fisher-Bradley can be reached at 250-730-9413 or e-mail wfwi@shaw.ca.